SHILLONG: The Supreme Court verdict decriminalising consensual gay sex came as a fresh lease of life to the LGBT community in Meghalaya.
The verdict becomes significant at a time when KHADC chief executive member HS Shylla had said the council and the Khasi community do not recognise transgender people.
Talking to The Shillong Times, Rebina Subba of Shamakami, an organisation that works with the LGBTQ community here, said it was a landmark verdict no doubt but “more work is needed to be done”.
“I am very happy. It is high time we acknowledge them and give equal rights and respect. However, more needs to be done, especially after Shylla’s comment,” she said. Subba informed that some members of the community are planning to meet the KHADC chief on the issue.
Around 100 members of the LGBTQ community here were outside the high court since 10 am on Thursday, said Nelly, a member and an activist. “When the verdict came in the afternoon, we were really happy and we danced. But there is a long way to go because we need proper constitutional rights. We should also have marriage rights and our representative(s) in Parliament,” she said as she stressed the need for “true freedom”.
On Shylla’s comment, she said one cannot be that irrational to reject a community.
Janet, who is from Shillong and works outside the state, said this is “historic” and “the first step towards liberating and protecting sexual orientations of our community”.
“We have been suffering from oppression, violence, stigma, ostracism for a long time and even today (there is discrimination). It is a historic moment for all of us who believe in humanity and equal rights. I really do hope that Shillong where we all grew up will be more tolerant and understanding and we will be finally living freely. I also hope that by turning this outdated law, it will help our people to find solidarity as there are many of us out here. It was indeed an emotional and lovely day for all of us. Cheers to freedom,” she added.
Welcoming the verdict, the Thma U Rangli Juki, in a press statement said, “TUR stands in solidarity with the ideas inherent in this judgment which challenges fear and hate-mongering by groups and individuals against minorities. This judgment is a powerful rebuke to the local public leaders and chauvinist groups who in the name of cultural identity have endorsed homophobia and hate.”
“People of alternative sexual orientations have faced discrimination for decades… Today, it is important to emphasise that the struggle for justice, freedom and equality for LGBTQIA+ people enters a new era, where we shall fight against deep-rooted misinformation, fear and hate and work towards a full, assertive, dignified existence for all,” the statement added.
The LGBTQ community members will hold a pride parade in the city on Friday to celebrate the judgment.